Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte has placed the country’s southern island of Mindanao under martial law to put down local Muslim extremists fighting government security forces.

The group is linked to the Islamic State militants.

Duterte declared martial law on Tuesday evening for the entire island of Mindanao and some island groups in the region.

Fighting broke out earlier on Tuesday in Marawi City on Mindanao between security forces and an armed group called the Maute.

The Philippine military says at least 5 soldiers were wounded and that fighting is still under way.

It is the third time since the end of World War 2 that marital law has been imposed in the Philippines. The military will control designated areas for 60 days and will be allowed to detain suspects without warrants.

The Maute group, based in western Mindanao, has pledged allegiance to the Islamic State militants. Its dozens of members have coordinated with Abu Sayyaf, also allied with the Islamic State group, to carry out explosions and other anti-government attacks around the Philippines.

Duterte has repeatedly indicated that he would declare martial law to fight the militants. Opposition parties and others have objected, citing human rights concerns.